Fire alarm

ABSTRACT

A fire alarm system for buildings, especially dwellings, including a pressurized conduit extending through substantially all parts of a building and which includes fusible parts responsive to heat, such as that caused by a fire, for releasing the pressure from the conduit, to release a distended diaphragm which is connected to the conduit system. Release of the diaphragm permits movement of a detent rod, connected thereto, to a position for releasing a clock mechanism for mechanically producing an audible alarm. Release of the clock mechanism effects release of an electric switch which is spring biased to a circuit closing position for energizing electrical alarms which may constitute lights or audible alarms and which may additionally function as a visual indicator to indicate that the alarm has been inadvertently activated.

United States Patent [191 Owen Nov. 13, 1973 FIRE ALARM PrimaryExaminer-Thomas B. Habecker [76] Inventor: William D. 0wen,578 w. MainParmdge St., Kahoka, Mo. 63445 [22] Filed: May 22, 1972 [21] Appl. No.:255,820

[52] U.S. Cl. 340/229, 200/83 R, 337/401 [51] Int. Cl. G08b 17/04 [58]Field of Search 340/227, 227.1, 229;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,014,206 12/1961 Slavin340/229 3,105,127 9/1963 Peters 200/83 3,147,735 9/1964 Landis 116/912,085,807 7/1937 Lindsey 340/332 2,781,769 2/1957 Reiter 337/407 X1,620,062 3/1927 Bosshart 337/409 1,219,723 3/1917 Gracey 340/2293,072,758 1/1963 Gribben 200/83 2,880,690 4/1959 Imburgia 116/91 XAttorney-John N. Randolph [5 7 ABSTRACT A fire alarm system forbuildings, especially dwellings, including a pressurized conduitextending through substantially all parts of a building and whichincludes fusible parts responsive to heat, such as that caused by afire, for releasing the pressure from the conduit, to release adistended diaphragm which is connected to the conduit system. Release ofthe diaphragm permits movement of a detent rod, connected thereto, to aposition for releasing a clock mechanism for mechanically producing anaudible alarm. Release of the clock mechanism effects release of anelectric switch which is spring biased to a circuit closing position forenergizing electrical alarms which may constitute lights or audiblealarms and which may additionally function as a visual indicator toindicate that the alarm has been inadvertently activated.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENIEnuuv 13 I975 SHEET 10F 2 FIG I FIG 3FIRE ALARM SUMMARY It is a primary object of the present invention toprovide a fire alarm system capable of affording protection for anentire building, such as a home, for warning the occupants, should afire occur in any part of the building, by means of both a visual and anaudible alarm.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a system includingmeans activated by the alarm for illuminating the building, in case of afire, to assist the occupants in their escape.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a fire alarmsystem which utilizes a part of a conventional alarm clock mechanism formechanically producing an audible alarm in case of a fire.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafterbecome more fully apparent from the following description of thedrawings, illustrating a presently preferred embodiment thereof, andwherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view, partlyin elevation and partly in section, illustrating the complete fire alarmsystem;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, taken substantially along the line 22 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially along aplane as indicated by the line 3-3 of FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more specifically tothe drawing, the fire alarm system in its entirety is designatedgenerally 8 and includes a conduit system, designated generally 9,composed of a number of pipes 10, preferably formed of plastic,connected together by T-joints 11, to each of which is connected abranch pipe 12 having a tubular extension 13, preferably formed ofrubber or metal,

which is closed and sealed by a plug 14 of a fusible material, such ascandlewax or solder. Any number of the branches 12 may be provide,preferably one for each room of a building, such as a dwelling, in whichthe fire alarm system is mounted, and so that a tube 13 protrudesthrough the ceiling of each room, with other of the tubes being locatedat strategic points in the attic and basement.

The conduit system 9 includes a section 15 formed of rubber which isconnected to an end one of the plastic pipes by a short tube section 16.The other end of the pipe is connected by a T-joint 17 to the shortlength of plastic pipe 18 which connects with a nipple 19 of adetachable end wall 20 of a casing 21. A diaphragm 22 is clamped acrossthe casing 21 by the detachable wall 20 and combines therewith to form achamber 23, within the casing 21, which communicates with the conduitsystem 9 through the nipple l9.

A plastic branch pipe 24 connects with and leads from the T-coupling l7and has a plastic extension 25 containing a manually operated valve 26.One of the pipes 10, located at the end of the conduit system 9, remotefrom the casing 21, terminates in an additional tube 13 closed by afusible plug 14.

The outer end of the tube 25 may be employed as a mouthpiece forpressurizing the conduit system 9 when the valve 26 has been turned fromits closed position of FIG. 1 to an open position, for moving thediaphragm 22 to a distended position, as seen in FIG. 1, from itsreleased or relaxed position of FIG. 4. If desired, tube 25 may beconnected to an air pump, not shown.

A housing 27 has a front wall 28 and a rear wall 29. A bracket 30 issecured to the outer side of the front wall 28 and to the outer side ofa wall 31 of the casing 21, which is located opposite to the wall 20,for supporting the casing 21 in predetermined space relation to thehousing wall 28. A rod 32 has one end secured to the center of thediaphragm 22 and extends therefrom through an opening 33 of the wall 31and slidably through an opening 34 of the wall 28. The opening 33 issufficiently large to accommodate an end portion of a compression spring35 which bears against the diaphragm 22. The opposite end of the spring35 bears against the outer side of the wall 28, around its opening 34,for urging the rod 32 and diaphragm 22 to their positions of FIG. 4.

A part of a mechanical alarm clock mechanism, designated generally 36,is contained within the housing 27 and includes a shaft 37 having endportions journaled in walls 28 and 29. A large gear 38 is fixed to theshaft 37. The inner end of a main spring 39, which is spirally woundaround the shaft 37, is fixed thereto, and the outer end of the spring39 is anchored to a pin 40 which is secured to the wall 29. The gear 38meshes with a pinion 41 which is secured to a shaft 42 which is alsojournaled in the walls 28 and 29. A toothed wheel 43, forming a part ofan escapement 44 is also fixed to the shaft 42. A hammer 45 is fixed toand carried by a disc 46 of the escapement 44, which is mounted tooscillate on a shaft 47, which likewise extends between and is supportedby the walls 28 and 29. When the conduit system 9 is pressurized tomaintain the diaphragm 22 in its distended position of FIG. 1, the rod32 extends across and bears against the hammer 45 to provide a detent tohold the hammer from swinging into and out of engagement with a hell orgong 48 which is mounted on the wall 28 within the housing 27.

A rod 49 extends slidably through and is supported and guided by a boss50 of the wall 29, and has an inner end which abuts the end of thedetent rod 32, which is located in the housing 27, when the diaphragm 22is distended. The rod 49 is substantially larger in diameter than therod 32 and has stops 51 and 52 secured thereto on opposite sides of thewall 29. An expansion coiled spring 53 is mounted on the rod 49, withinthe housing 27, between the inner end of the boss 50 and the stop 52,for urging the rod 49 from left to rights of FIGS. 1 and 4 and towardthe rod 32. The diaphragm 22, when distended, is capable of holding thesprings 35 and 53 compressed, as seen in FIG. 1, so that the stop 51 isspaced from the wall 29 to visually indicate that the springs arecompressed and that the conduit system 9 is pressurized.

A spring strip 54 has one end secured by a fastening 55 to the outerside of the wall 29 and has an opposite free end which is outwardlyoffset from the wall 29 and which carries an electrical contact 56 whichis spaced from the terminal of said free end. A weak compression spring57 may be disposed between the wall 29 and a part of the free endportion of the spring strip 54 for urging said free end outwardly, sothat the contact 56 will be spring biased into engagement with astationary electrical contact 58 carried by a bracket which is supportedby and extends outwardly from the wall 29, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and5.

One end of an electric wire 60 connects with the contact 58 and theopposite end of the wire 60 is connected to an electric plug 61. Asecond wire 62 leads from the plug 61 to the fastening 55 and is thuselectrically connected to the spring strip 54 which provides anelectrical conductor leading to the contact 56. A conventional manualswitch 63 and several light bulbs 64 are shown interposed in the wire60, in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 6, a rod 65 has one end threadedly anchored in the endof the shaft 37 which protrudes from the wall 29. Said shaft end istoothed as seen at 66 around the rod 65. A sleeve 67 is slidably androtatively mounted on the rod 65 and has a toothed inner end 68 whichnormally meshes with the teeth 66, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 4. Acompression spring 69 is mounted on the opposite end of the rod 65between the opposite end of the sleeve 67 and a detachable spring stop70, which is attached to said rod, for urging the sleeve 67 toward theshaft 37. A knob 71 has a hollow shank 72 for accommodating the parts 69and 70 and the rod end on which said parts are mounted. Said shank 72has a restricted threaded bore 73 which detachably and threadedlyengages an externally threaded end 74 of the sleeve 67. An arm 75extends laterally from the sleeve 67 and normally bears against theouter side of the free end of the spring strip 54, as seen in FIGS. 1and 3, to maintain the strip 54 deflected inwardly to hold the contact56 out of engagement with the contact 58.

Assuming that the parts are in their positions of FIG. 1 with the switch63 in a closed position and the switch 56,58 in an open position andwith the plug 61 electrically connected to a conventional electricaloutlet, not shown, the circuit including the switches and the lamp bulbs64 will be maintained deenergized by the open switch 56,58. Also,assuming that the clock mechanism 36 is wound and is held inoperative bythe detent rod 32 bearing against the hammer 45 to prevent it fromswinging toward the gong 48, the fact that the alarm system 8 is thusproperly set and ready for operation can be visually determined byobserving that the switch 63 is closed, that the switch 56,58 is openand that the stop 51 is spaced from the wall 29.

Should a tire occur in any part of the building equipped with the firealarm 8, one or more of the fusible plugs 14 or one or more of the pipes10, ll, 16, 17 or 18 will melt sufficiently to allow air to escape fromthe conduit system 9, thereby releasing the air pressure from thechamber 23 and allowing the spring 35 to move the diaphragm 22 and rod32 from their positions of FIG. 1 to their positions of FIG. 4. Movementof the rod 32 out of engagement with the hammer 45 releases theescapement 44 allowing the clock mechanism to unwind which includesrotation of the shaft 37 in a counterclockwise direction, as seen inFIG. 2, and as indicated by the arrow 76 in FIG. 5. As the clockmechanism is unwound, the escapement wheel is revolved for oscillatingthe escapement disc 46 and hammer 45. The hammer 45 will strike the gong48 each time that -it swings counterclockwise, as seen in FIG. 2, to

thereby mechanically produce an audible alarm.

Furthermore, the sleeve 67 will revolve with the shaft 37, so that asthe shaft-37 commences to turn counterclockwise, the arm will disengagethe spring strip 54 so that the spring 57 will displace the.free end ofthe strip 54 outwardly to move the contact 56 into engagement with thecontact 58 for completing the electric circuit to energize the lightbulbs 64. These light bulbs in addition to providing visual alarms canbe located so as to afford illumination for the occupants during theirescape from the building. In addition, audible electric signals may besubstituted for certain of the light bulbs 64 or added to the electriccircuit. Further, the light bulbs 64 can be utilized to visuallyindicate that the system has been inadvertently actuated and thereforemust be reset. One such indicator light may be wired into anothercircuit and constitute a light bulb which is frequently employed forother purposes so that should it burn out, this fact would be readilyapparent.

In resetting the system 8, the winding knob 71 is turned in a directionfor turning the shaft 37 clockwise, as seen in FIG. 2, until the clockmechanism 36 is fully wound. At such time, the arm 75 will be disposedinwardly with respect to the free end of the strip 54, as seen in FIG.4, so that an outward pull must be exerted on the knob 71 to move thearm 75 to its position of FIG. 6, after which it can be turned clockwisefrom its angular position of FIG. 5 to its position of FIG. 3. The knob71 is then released to allow the spring 69 to return the sleeve 67 toits position of FIG. 1. During this movement, the arm 75 will contactthe strip 54 and move it inwardly against the compression of the weakerspring 57 to move the contact 56 out of engagement with the contact 58to open the electric circuit of FIG. 1.

The detent rod 32 will move across one side or the other of the hammeras the conduit 9 is pressurized and the diaphragm 22 is distended backto its position of FIG. 1 from its position of FIG. 4. During thismovement, the rod 32 will engage the rod 49 and move said rod 49 back toits position of FIG. 1, from its position of FIG. 4.

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, wall 29 has a vertical slot 77 in which oneend of the shaft 42 is joumaled. A spring 78 bears on said shaft end tonormally hold it in the bottom of slot 77, but to allow said shaft endto rise, so that the pinion 41 can disengage the gear 38 while the clockmechanism 36 is being rewound.

Two or more of the mechanical and electrical alarms may be incorporatedinto the conduit system 9, so that should one alarm unit fail tofunction, operation of another unit will produce the mechanical audiblealarm and the electrical visual and audible alarms.

The rubber pipe section 15 is sufficiently elastic to expand andcontract and thereby compensate for temperature variations, so that toogreat a pressure will not be exerted on the diaphragm 22 in response toan unusually large increase in the ambient temperature.

Various other modifications and changes are contemplated and may beresorted to, without departing from the function or scope of theinvention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A fire alarm system comprising a pressurized conduit system includinga distended diaphragm, said conduit system having fusible parts forreleasing the pressure from the system in response to heat, such as thatcaused by a tire, an alarm, an alarm actuating mechanism, a detentmember carried by said diaphragm and maintained by the distendeddiaphragm in a position to prevent operation of the alarm actuatingmechanism, said detent being movable with the diaphragm to a position torelease the alarm mechanism for actuation when the conduit system isdepressurized, a compression spring moving the diaphragm and detent to aposition for releasing the alarm actuating mechanism, said alarmactuating mechanism comprising a part of a mechanical clock mechanismincluding a rotatable shaft, an electric circuit having an electricalalarm interposed therein and including an electric switch, said switchincluding a contact normally spring biased to a circuit closingposition, and an arm carried by said shaft for holding said contact in acircuit breaking position until said detent member is moved to areleased position permitting rotation of the shaft.

2. A fire alarm system as in claim 1, said mechanical clock mechanismincluding an oscillating escapement member, a hammer carried thereby,and a gong disposed to be sounded by engagement of the hammer therewithwhen the detent member is moved out of engagement with the hammer torelease the clock mechanism.

3. A fire alarm system as in claim 1, said electrical alarm includingvisual alarms so located as to provide illumination for the escape ofoccupants of a building in case of a fire.

4. A fire alarm system as in claim 1, at least one of said electricalalarms comprising a visual alarm disposed to additionally function as awarning light to indicate when the alarm actuating mechanism has beeninadvertently released.

5. A fire alarm system as in claim 1, and means for visually indicatingwhen the conduit system is fully pressurized and the diaphragm is fullydistended.

6. A fire alarm system as in claim 1, said conduit system including anelastic section capable of expanding and contracting to compensate fortemperature variations.

7. A fire alarm system as in claim 1, said fusible parts comprisingplugs located in different parts of a building containing the fire alarmsystem.

1. A fire alarm system comprising a pressurized conduit system includinga distended diaphragm, said conduit system having fusible parts forreleasing the pressure from the system in response to heat, such as thatcaused by a fire, an alarm, an alarm actuating mechanism, a detentmember carried by said diaphragm and maintained by the distendeddiaphragm in a position to prevent operation of the alarm actuatingmechanism, said detent being movable with the diaphragm to a position torelease the alarm mechanism for actuation when the conduit system isdepressurized, a compression spring moving the diaphragm and detent to aposition for releasing the alarm actuating mechanism, said alarmactuating mechanism comprising a part of a mechanical clock mechanismincluding a rotatable shaft, an electric circuit having an electricalalarm interposed therein and including an electric switch, said switchincluding a contact normally spring biased to a circuit closingposition, and an arm carried by said shaft for holding said contacT in acircuit breaking position until said detent member is moved to areleased position permitting rotation of the shaft.
 2. A fire alarmsystem as in claim 1, said mechanical clock mechanism including anoscillating escapement member, a hammer carried thereby, and a gongdisposed to be sounded by engagement of the hammer therewith when thedetent member is moved out of engagement with the hammer to release theclock mechanism.
 3. A fire alarm system as in claim 1, said electricalalarm including visual alarms so located as to provide illumination forthe escape of occupants of a building in case of a fire.
 4. A fire alarmsystem as in claim 1, at least one of said electrical alarms comprisinga visual alarm disposed to additionally function as a warning light toindicate when the alarm actuating mechanism has been inadvertentlyreleased.
 5. A fire alarm system as in claim 1, and means for visuallyindicating when the conduit system is fully pressurized and thediaphragm is fully distended.
 6. A fire alarm system as in claim 1, saidconduit system including an elastic section capable of expanding andcontracting to compensate for temperature variations.
 7. A fire alarmsystem as in claim 1, said fusible parts comprising plugs located indifferent parts of a building containing the fire alarm system.